"Go-good," Nadine finally stuttered after what felt like forever. "I mean... you worked so hard for that position. You deserve it."
James let out a small chuckle that made Nadine's brows furrow in confusion.
"What's so funny?"
"You're so ready to get me out of this house, aren't you?" James asked.
"No!" Nadine defended herself quickly.
He crossed his arms and leaned on the counter across from Nadine. "So you don't want me out of the house? Okay, then... I guess I'll stay."
Nadine's eyes widened, "James!"
James only laughed even more, making Nadine frustrated at the turn of events. This wasn't how she thought this conversation was going to go. She had spent the whole week avoiding James thinking how all the scenarios would play out. What she would do if he said he would stay or what she would do if he ended taking the job. Out of all the things she thought of, this was definitely not one of them.
"Nadine, I am only taking the job under two conditions."
"That's not how that works. You either take it or you don't. What are you going to tell your boss?"
"No," James couldn't help but be amused at how easily frustrated she was getting. "I know I can either take the job or not at all, but I meant between us. Because honestly, I want to stay but you keep telling me to take it. And if you're not telling me, you've been acting like I already moved out."
Nadine bit the inside of her lip in anticipation. Knowing James, her treatment towards him for the past few days were definitely taken up into consideration with this decision, that's why she did it. She didn't want him to pass up this opportunity, but she was also being selfish in thinking that she won't get hurt if he just leaves again.
"What are the conditions?" she asked with a pout on her face.
"The first one..." pausing to decide how to word things. "I know you said Sora will understand, but I need Sora to know that her opinion matters too. If she doesn't want me to go, then I'm not going. If she says that she's okay with it, then there's still the second condition."
"She's 5, James. Of course she's going to want you to stay. That's what I meant by not letting Sora be the reason for your decision. That's why I said she'll understand," speaking as if she had just run a marathon.
James took a step towards Nadine, "Sora's in school. She's able to think and speak on her own, Nadine. We can't just let her think that she's not allowed to have a say in these things. She's part of this family."
Nadine immediately protested, "James!"
He put a hand up to stop her argument, "Nadine, you may say that we're not a family, but I know you don't think that. And neither do I. We've been a family for a long time now. This is a big decision and my family gets a say in what happens."
She shook her head in annoyance, "And when do you plan on talking to your daughter?"
"Friday after school. Maybe after our dinner date," he shrugged.
Nadine sighed, feeling light-headed with irritation, "What's the second condition?"
"You."
Her voice cracked, "What- What about me?"
"Are you ever going to forgive me? Or am I always going to be my mistake to you?"
She was stunned silent, feet stuck to the ground. Nadine didn't know how to answer that question because she didn't know what to say either.
